‘Free Political Prisoners’ campaigners ask Cambridge MP to support Louise Lancaster appeal
Cambridge protesters who held a vigil for the Just Stop Oil prisoners - including Grantchester resident Louise Lancaster - in Cambridge have written to the city’s MP asking him to support the appeal process due in January.
Around 16 protesters were outside the Guildhall as part of the 'Free Political Prisoners' campaign, a nationwide Defend Our Juries protest ahead of the appeal due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on 29 and 30 January, 2025.
Photos of the jailed protesters - Louise Lancaster received a four-year prison sentence for conspiring to organise climate breakdown protests that blocked the M25 motorway - accompanied placards saying ' Stop Jailing Truth Tellers' and 'Jurors Deserve To Hear The Whole Truth' held by the silent protesters sitting outside the Guildhall on Saturday (28 December).
Others distributed leaflets asking people to join the campaign. Daniel Zeichner was invited to attend, make a speech and receive his letter in person.
“He apparently had a prior engagement; so the letter was read out in the market square and posted instead,” said a Free Political Prisoners Cambridge spokesperson.
The letter states that the appeal “is an opportunity to apply justice and common sense when our prisons are overflowing, our climate is breaking down and the cost of living crisis deepens”.
It continues: “We are releasing violent and sexual offenders early due to the overcrowding crisis, yet locking up peaceful protesters for up to five years. It costs £40,000 just to place someone into a remand prison and then thousands more to keep them there. Prison should be a last resort for the most serious, violent and sexual offenders. They are no place for these peaceful protesters who include young students, pensioners, teachers and carers.
“The UK is rightly being criticised by the UN Special Rapporteur and international community for its ‘chilling’ repression of the fundamental right to protest. This appeal is an opportunity to begin to set the record straight and restore the UK’s reputation as a global leader in justice, democratic freedom, and the rule of law.”
Mr Zeichner said: “While I understand the concerns raised, as a Member of Parliament I must respect the independence of the judiciary. Therefore, I am unable to comment on specific legal matters or ongoing appeals.”
